SEC Football Media Days 2019: One big takeaway from each team

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COLUMBIA, MO – OCTOBER 27: Head coach Mark Stoops of the Kentucky Wildcats talks to players during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

How does Kentucky follow up a 10-win season?

In his time at Kentucky, Mark Stoops has never won fewer games from one season to the next. It’s hard to win in Lexington, and since 2013, Stoops has taken no shortcuts in building a respectable Wildcat program.

Now with a target on its back, how can Kentucky continue to win in the SEC? Within the team, a lack of complacency seems to be the mindset.

The best byte I heard today came from, guess who. @KashDaniel15 on how Kentucky football has changed. "Coach Stoops isn't going to offer guys scholarships to sit on the bench and get free gear. He's recruiting players right now to come in and take my job." pic.twitter.com/VZ5rq6AiyT
— Charlie Walter (@CharlieWalterTV) July 18, 2019

The two leaders of this team, Benny Snell and Josh Allen, are now in the NFL. Now, senior middle linebacker Kash Daniel will become the unquestioned face of this defense. He had 84 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss in 2018.

On the offense, quarterback Terry Wilson will need to step up. The dual-threat passer threw for 1,889 yards and eleven touchdowns a season ago. His legs are a threat, but with Snell gone, Wilson will have to improve the passing element of his game.

It is hard to build a program, but it’s harder to sustain one. For Mark Stoops, the task now turns to sustaining. Can he replace two of the program’s best players and repeat ten wins in 2019?

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